Vantaggi
The work is engaging, meaningful and collaborative. I believe staff are generally treated like adults. Thanks to the union, the worker protections are, in the US, practically unparalleled. I don't need to explain vacation or sick days to my boss, I don't work outside my schedule, I don't fear retaliation or bullying and there is an ongoing campaign for salary step increases. Unlike many, the institution has not regressed in terms of inclusive values. This is a good place for people who want to be rewarded for integrity and playing by the rules rather than violating them. Hybrid roles are common. Work-life balance is good to excellent.
Svantaggi
Pay is average, or below average compared to the California Community Colleges. To grow, in my experience, is to accept more committees, redundant meetings and politics, which can be demotivating for individual contributors not interested in becoming a manager. Often, the status quo is prized due to bureaucracy. Deliberations on tiny or common sense changes can take months or years. This can also be a good thing, as chaos and tech disruption is limited. Permanent employees can at times have little work but still come so there is a lot of talking.